By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 4:35 PM
NEW YORK—The direct-to-consumer (D2C) model—which counts Warby Parker as one of its pioneering brands—was a hot topic in 2020 and became more attractive as brands and retailers faced disrupted supply chains, delayed orders and store closures. As a result, D2C e-commerce sales—including both digitally native and established brands—increased 45.5 percent in 2020. And this sales growth generated about $111.5 billion, according to a recent analysis by eMarketer.
Overall, D2C sales made up 14 percent of total retail e-commerce sales, according to eMarketer’s estimates. “We expect relatively steady growth each year through 2023, with D2C ecommerce sales reaching $174.98 billion at that time,” the research firm noted in its
report.
The success of the D2C model is attributable, in part, to two key factors: data and feedback.
“The D2C model gives brands the opportunity to collect first-party data on their customers," Cindy Liu, eMarketer’s director of forecasting at Insider Intelligence, explained. "And with this data, the possibilities are endless—brands can customize products and create new products, all with the customer in mind.”
Data and analytics are crucial for all brands to not only better personalize shopping experiences, but also get a fuller picture of who their customers are. As brands vet their collected data, they can also make more informed decisions, especially in regard to next steps in expanding or improving operations.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 12:58 PM
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, much of the optical indstury has offered a helping hand through the form of creating and donating PPE. Now, creating an innovative face mask design could earn you some serious cash. The Biden administration and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority have announced the
Mask Innovation Challenge: Building Tomorrow’s Mask, a challenge open to all Americans to design an innovative new face mask to keep us safe. Ideas are due on April 21, 2021, at 5 p.m. Eastern, and winners will receive $100,000. Head over to the
BARDA's blog to learn more.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 11:30 AM
PINELLAS PARK, Fla.—
Transitions Optical announced this morning that it is cancelling Transitions Academy 2021, scheduled for June 13 – 16, 2021 in Orlando, Fla. The annual meeting is one of the industry’s most well-recognized educational events, bringing together independent eyecare professionals, national and regional retailers, educators, optical laboratories, managed vision care companies, and other industry professionals from across North America and around the globe. In lieu of Transitions Academy 2021, Transitions Optical said it will continue to connect with and support the optical industry through virtual events like
Transitions The Pulse, which brought together over 10,000 global attendees, and its Innovation Awards, virtual education and customized training events.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 10:03 AM
DALLAS—Essilor Vision Foundation (EVF) has announced that Marc Ferrara, president of the Jobson Optical Group, and Lynn Fisher, director of corporate giving for the Rosewood Corporation, have joined the foundation’s board of directors. Throughout a career that spans more than 30 years, Ferrara has gained industrywide respect and forged solid relationships with major players including leading manufacturers and industry associations. His active involvement in the optical and health care community has reinforced his dedication to professionalism and education, and he is consistently recognized by various industry associations. Fisher manages all aspects of philanthropy for the Rosewood Corporation and for the family of the company’s founder, the late Caroline Rose Hunt. She has a long history of vision advocacy work as well with The Retina Foundation of the Southwest, establishing the Rosewood Foundation Vision Center at Healing Hands Ministries, and funding operational support for EVF’s Kids Vision for Life program.
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By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 10:00 AM
According to a 2018 Pop-up Poll by
Women In Optometry, nearly 96 percent of the respondents said they have made at least one life-saving or sight-saving diagnosis during a routine exam. Optometrists go into work expecting to see common conditions and perform routine exams most days. But one day, when Nanette Brisbane, OD, went to her practice in Spokane Valley, Washington, she was met with something unusual: a patient with a choroidal melanoma; a cancer developing in the choroid in the back of the eye. Her stomach sank. “I didn’t want to tell anyone this,” she says. “Ultimately, I discussed what I suspected and said we needed further testing.” Dr. Brisbane was able to expedite the patient to a retina specialist who confirmed the original diagnosis and sent the patient to Seattle for further treatment. “The patient contacted me and said their doctor said, ‘I can’t believe this was found during a routine eye exam; this saved your life.'”
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By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 8:20 AM
Did you follow the optical news this week? Take VM’s News Quiz to see how much you know. This week's quiz takes a look at vaccines of the future, saluting business partners and an upcoming onslaught of insects.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 8:10 AM
Florals? For Spring? Absolutely groundbreaking when you combine them with this adorable, opti-themed keychain. You can pick it up from EyeLoveLifeDesigns on Etsy
here.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 12:21 AM
HAUPPAUGE, N.Y.—
Sight Growth Partners, the administrative services provider for
SightMD—a leading multi-specialty ophthalmology platform in New York—said this week that it has expanded into the state of New Jersey as part of a merger involving four leading ophthalmology practices in Ocean County, N.J. The four practices are: Athwal Eye Associates, Lakhani Eye Associates, Shore Eye Associates, and Susskind & Almallah Eye Associates. The terms of the merger transaction were not disclosed. The four practices have merged under the name of SightMD New Jersey, the announcement noted. Sight Growth Partners, which will provide the new group administrative services, will expand its reach to more than 50 locations and more than providers upon the deal’s completion.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 12:18 AM
NEW YORK—
Review of Optometric Business has posted a new special report,
Telemedicine: Tapping into a Megatrend. The comprehensive 38-page report, a true eResource, guides optometrists through best practices in incorporating and implementing telemedicine in their practices.
By Staff
Friday, April 9, 2021 12:15 AM
ALEXANDRIA, Va.—
The Vision Council has released the results of the March 2021 Eyecare Provider Insights Survey. The Vision Council fielded the survey to the organization’s panel of more than 1,700 eyecare providers during the last week of March.